David Paul Rizzo

David Paul Rizzo

On September 3, 2021, David Paul Rizzo, age 64 passed away peacefully at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center in Wilmington, NC, surrounded by his family after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. 

Dave was born on June 4, 1957, in Danville, Virginia to Paul and Sidna Rizzo. He grew up in Armonk, New York and attended Byram Hills High School, where he was a leader on both the basketball and golf teams. After graduation, he went on to the College of William and Mary and was an active member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He received his Bachelor of the Arts degree in Economics.

After graduation, Dave went to work for IBM, where he started as an Account Marketing Representative and rose through the ranks to serve as a Regional Marketing Program Administrator. In 1986, Dave moved to IBM's Charlotte office, where he was eventually promoted to Trading Area General Manager. 

In 1992 his entrepreneurial drive led him to launch his own company, Osprey Systems, and then in 2002, he made the decision to sell it. He went on to head MCNC until he founded what his family considers to be his legacy, NCIDEA, a non-profit organization whose mission was focused on the economic development of the state. Dave was an active member of North Carolina’s technology community and held numerous leadership positions within civic and professional associations. He was a board member for the Council of Entrepreneurial Development, The Kenan Institute Center for Entrepreneurships, the Governor’s Board of Science and Technology and many others. Dave leaves behind a legacy as an entrepreneur, technology leader, venture capitalist, and economic developer. 

Dave was an avid traveler. He enjoyed golfing, watching football and basketball games, and the Big Bang Theory. But Dave was happiest at home or on his boats with his wife, his son Matthew, their two dogs Doc and Piper, and cat Moosh.  

Dave was predeceased by his father Paul (2017) mother Sidna (2012) and his beloved Lab Brandy. He is survived by his wife Robin, his three sons Paul, Sam, and Matthew, his two sisters Beverley Cook (Mark) and Ann Bingham, as well as a niece, several nephews, and extended family.

The family will hold a private memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to NC IDEA “In Memory of David Rizzo” and mailed to 320 Blackwell Street, Suite 400, Durham, NC 27701.

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